Follow these tips for a great lunch at the beach

Published: Tuesday, May 28, 2013 at 8:51 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, May 28, 2013 at 8:51 a.m.

Sure, you can always grab a slice at Vito's or Frank's when visiting our area beaches, but that just won't cut it for a full day in the sun. As noble as pizza might be, a long-haul beach outing requires greater sustenance. And, with Memorial Day in the rearview mirror, the time to clean out that cooler for oceanfront picnic duties has officially arrived.

Few people in our coastal community have packed more lunches than Karen Hutcherson, owner of K's Café on Eastwood Road, the gateway stretch of pavement separating Wrightsville Beach from the mainland. Last year she introduced a menu of boxed lunches called Shoobies, a century-old term borrowed from her native New Jersey that historically referred to day-tripping tourists who flocked to the shore with meals packed in shoeboxes.

Selling anywhere from 30 to more than a hundred a week, depending on the season, Hutcherson has become an expert on what works and what comes up short when planning a picnic at the shore. Fortunately, she was happy to share a few tips to help assure the stresses on your next outing will be limited to sunscreen shortages and jellyfish stings.

"It's so easy in today's world to just go to a drive through," Hutcherson said. "If you just put that little bit of effort in, it's well worth it."

Skip the slices

Hutcherson said one of the quickest ways to assure a meal becomes a mess is to rely on sliced white bread as a base for a sandwich. She prefers denser and more durable multigrain rolls for both the added caloric and nutritional punch. All that body surfing requires quality fuel, after all. Additionally, make sure lettuce, tomato slices and any other topping is kept in a separate baggie to prevent premature sogginess.

Of course, there is one exception to the rule to keep peace with younger family members.

"If you're making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for the kids, then nothing is better than white bread," she said.

Convenient cutlery

Bringing forks and knives from home might seem like a good idea, but it doesn't take too many sandy voyages to start noticing a growing shortage in the utensil drawer. Even if they aren't getting lost, the napkins joining them are picking up sand and moisture from the humidity when not blowing away.

Hutcherson's solution is simple and inexpensive: Look for Dixie brand Picnic Packets containing plastic utensils, a napkin and salt and pepper at places like Sam's Club.

Fit and fruitful

Just because it's a vacation doesn't mean lounging in the hot sun is the best time to indulge in a heavy meal.

"You're not as hungry as you think you are," Hutcherson said. "Keep it light. It's hot, you're going to do lots of fruits, pasta salads. Boiled eggs, that will give you some protein."

She then repeats herself several times: "Fruit, fruit, fruit! You don't notice that you're dehydrating, and that will help."

Sand management

It's the beach. There's gong to be sand. But that doesn't mean it needs to be part of your lunch.

Hutcherson packages her Shoobies in cardboard boxes, but she said any kind of container with raised walls will help prevent rogue winds from soiling the sandwiches.

Keep it clean

Hutcherson's top tip for cleanliness is one she said is known to mothers worldwide, but particularly effective at the beach. Fold up a few damp paper towels and slide them into a baggie. Perfect for everything from sandy fingers to strawberry-smudged cheeks.

Dry ice

A cooler is most efficient when used on foods that are already cold, but even then there will be some melting. Hutcherson said for best results, first put down a layer of ice and then create a barrier with plastic grocery bags. Layer the chilled lunches in, put down another bed of plastic and then put more ice on top.

Not for the birds

Seagulls, while fun to feed, make no distinctions between the food you decide is for them and that which you'd rather keep for yourself. Be a good neighbor and walk well away from crowded areas before tossing your crumbs to the birds.

"They won't go away," Hutcherson said. "They'll just hover forever."

Something sweet

Ending lunch on a sweet note will keep the troops happy for another few hours. Cookies, a bit of candy, whatever you choose.

"Life without a little sugar or something chocolate is not as much fun," said Hutcherson.

Leave it to the pros

If all of that just sounds like more headache than it's worth, K's Café would be happy to send you along with customized meals for the whole family. Shoobies come in a number of varieties, from roast beef sandwiches to shrimp salad with pita points. Prices are $7.25 for adult portions and $5.95 for a kid's box. For a complete menu, visit www.Ks-Cafe.net.